Quebec leaders take on fiery one-on-one exchanges in final debate

The tension was almost palpable as Quebec party leaders launched into confrontational and fiery exchanges for the crucial and final debate in the provincial election campaign.

Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) Leader François Legault, Quebec Liberal PartyLeader Philippe Couillard, Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Jean-François Lisée, and Québec Solidaire spokesperson Manon Massé faced off for the third and last time before voters head to the polls on Oct. 1.

While the two other debates — one in French and the other in English — had a traditional opening statement and four-way format, this time the leaders took each other on in one-on-one exchanges.

Legault, the front-runner in the polls, has been noticeably absent on the campaign trail this week after polls suggested support is slipping for his party. He recently came under fire for his proposal on immigration, but he struck a more conciliatory tone when discussing his plans for newcomers.

“I am not perfect,” he said.

“Sometimes I make mistakes. But I listen and I change.”

Turning to Couillard, he added, “You should stop giving lessons and listen to the population.”

The CAQ leader has been criticized by his opponents for promising to force immigrants to leave Quebec if they don’t learn French within three years and his position was once again targeted during the final debate.

“It’s him who scares Quebecers,” said Couillard. Legault shot back that his party “only wants to expel the Quebec Liberals.”

Massé, for her part, accused Legault of playing politics to win votes.

“I believe that you don’t have anything against immigrants,” she said.

“I’ve known you long enough to say that.”

Legault is trying to clarify his plan to ‘expel’ immigrants, says he won’t expel citizens. Immigrants who don’t pass French test, won’t have permission to stay, like tourists and temporary workers. Other leaders aren’t buying it. https://t.co/svBiM3uEG4